UK Biker build off

[Simon B]

Well did you see it, what did you think.
I thought it was good, could have been a hour long not just 30mins, ok it was simplifiying everything but thats probably because its not just aimed at bikers.
But when all said and done it was a lot better than the programe before it with Choppers Inc & Amen cycles, same old same old yet again.

[tease]

I think the US biker build off has gotten more soap operaish like American chopper has, but still alot to see.
As to the UK one? Personally I would have liked to see it as an hour show and 2 builders faced off and a sort of full build off. Guess I have to wait til next week to see more building and less talking ;)

[Highside]

Maybe it was because it was the first prog, but I didn't see too much building and a lot of 'interviews'.
I guess there will be a lot of catching up to do next week. ;)

Let's hope a couple of these Brit builders build something a bit different though. I like Choppers but the only thing that ever differs in these Bike progs is the width of the tyres and shape of the tanks. Somebody please build something VERY different.


*awaits flaming*

[tease]

That being said, HS did you see the awesome paint on the Amen bike? :eek:

[Highside]

Was that the Candy Red with the 'Carbon' Base coat?, I'd like to have a closer look at that.

[tease]

Thats the one, would love to see it in person and out in the sun!

[excalibur]

Well I'm just hoping they don't all use Harley motors like the yank version and do something original

[tease]

I dont think they will use HD motors, but knock-offs like the US builders do, and I definitely agree with you on that point.
The one the wife and I are building for her is a yammy :D

[tease]

From the drawings I saw of the one who was bending the pipe for his "organic" frame Im sure I saw it at FYP. When I did I thought to myself its a different idea but not made to be ridden.

What DID catch my eye is the one outside of thundercity. The black and white texan bike. I know it is owned by a US Airman vet, talked to him at fox and dale cause he had a POW/MIA cover I would like for mine, prick told me he built it himself. At FYP I met the mechanic from thunder city who actually DID! Another case of posing! I hate that garbage :mad:

[Tooty]

Hi Tease

Yes your right we did build the bike.......the bike and its owner are now back in the USA and its winning shows over there...Kool....as for the P.O.W gear its available through Custom Chrome they do a set points cvr,derby cvr,and inspection cvr. :D

[Simon B]

I think customising in the UK seems to be going the same way as the states ie Kit bikes big back wheels etc, now Im not knocking that people have to build what their customers want.
And sorry to dissapoint but all the bikes on UK build of are v twins. Mind you I like Harleys and that style of engine fits perfect with a chop.

All that being said at the end of the day a lot of the bikes that are around are simply out of reach ( price wise) for a lot of people, and in a fair few cases what people want, but cant have, they slag off.

[Baloo]

I think customising in the UK seems to be going the same way as the states ie Kit bikes big back wheels etc, now Im not knocking that people have to build what their customers want.
And sorry to dissapoint but all the bikes on UK build of are v twins. Mind you I like Harleys and that style of engine fits perfect with a chop.

All that being said at the end of the day a lot of the bikes that are around are simply out of reach ( price wise) for a lot of people, and in a fair few cases what people want, but cant have, they slag off.
And you expected what, quite honestly?

They're always going to build around v-twins because they have some real retail value. Build a chop around a Jap motor and you'll be lucky to see five k for it (which it will have cost to build if you've done it to the same standard as these Harley customs), but build a chop around an 'Arley motor and the same bike is instantlyn £15-20k retail because that's what knobbers think Harley chops cost.

Yes, I know someone'll argue that we don't build bikes for profit, but that's not strictly true, is it? These people are shops - of course they build them for profit, that's how they stay in business. At a more grass roots level (ie me and you), we also want to turn a profit (or at least not lose any money) cos if we don't, how are we going to finance the next build?

Like it or not, using v-twin engines is the way forward in chop building. Me, I don't like it, I'm not a big fan of Harleys anyway, but that's the real world. ;)

[Simon B]

Dont agree, when I build a bike its for me to use not to make a profit

And as for the shops building to a profit, thats what I said, they build for what the customer wants.

[Baloo]

Dont agree, when I build a bike its for me to use not to make a profit
So you're quite happy to lose money when you sell it then, are you? Blimey, I wish I earnt as much money as you do ... ;)

[tease]

Heres what I think, and I dont think much :D
People want a bike thats different, something that says "This bike belongs to......." It is supposed to be an extension of who they are.
What is happening is that people are seeing it is easy now to buy a kit, or hire someone to do what people have done in their garages for generations. That being said, there are many people out there who are coming up with new ideas, some great, some not so great, but the engineering and innovation are there.

For me it was the same as the texans bike, and Tooty, great job on it, looked great, it WASN'T the fact that it was HD engine, but it was different, what pi$$ed ME off is that he made it out to be his OWN work.

Personally I ride my Intruder, all over all the time and wouldnt trade her for the world, she is customised to say she is mine, the wifes will be done to say its hers, like them or hate them doesnt matter to me, they are US and OURS. Theres no jealousy involved in seeing other bikes and how they are done, but in making it out to seem like others work is your own. When peole ask me about mine and her paint? I puff out my chest and tell them "Kay from nightshade did it!" I came up with the scheme and design, and her fantastic airbrush put it on the bike, credit where its due ;)

[Simon B]

Baloo
No didnt say that Firstly I build a bike for me not with profit in mind. And how many people that build their own bikes when they add up all the parts, time etc make a profit.
Ive made money on the last three bikes Ive sold, but thats not the point, a bike should be built for yourself to ride

[shaggy696969]

Sad tho isnt it, it just shows that our tatses in things can be so dictated by peir pressure.... free individuals ??? there are some but not many or we wouldnt see so many overpriced v twin bikes .... me i would have 1 if they were a lot cheaper but id also like a bike that handles well too. And as previously said we are all pushed by market forces ..... sad
__________________

[excalibur]

And sorry to dissapoint but all the bikes on UK build of are v twins


Thats a big shame, not knocking any of the builders, but would have liked to have seen us do something a bit different, perhaps a Hinckley triple or twin, just something to be different to the yanks.

[Big Pete]

So you're quite happy to lose money when you sell it then, are you? Blimey, I wish I earnt as much money as you do ... ;)

much the same as normal depreciation, buy an 8k (new) bike, sell it two years later for 5 or 6k.

The problem with building something personal is just that, its your idea of whats good, somebody elses idea of perfection will be different. HD (or generic Big Twin) based chops fit the "popular" conception of what a chop is, so they appeal to a wider audience.

The bikes I have built, I expected to get no return at all, as it happens, I made money on all of them, but I was lucky. It would seem that the vast majority of bike buyers are'nt interested in anything that isnt stock (apart from maybe paint or pipes type stuff).

[Dougie]

Still think Steve Berry's a wanker........ :p

[Simon B]

Dougie gotta agree with you there rate him about as highley as Clarkson

[Grav]

I had the misfortune to meet Steve Berry when the NABD Rally went back to Cheshire, the guy is a complete arse. He is enthusiastic about his pay packet and nowt else.

[Grav]

Meanwhile, back at the plot........

I enjoyed the programme but it's a shame we only got half an hour. I firmly believe that all the builders featured are at the very least as good as their american counterparts and in some cases our boys piss all over them. :D

Tease, I could never understand why anyone could have a chop built and then not give credit to the builder either. I think it's an insult to steal the glory, the guy might as well have kicked Tooty in the bollocks. (I would love to see him try :D ) There's a bloke I know who owns a couple of stunning chos, show winners too, and he freely admits to being bloody useless with a spaner. He gives the proper credit and respect to the artist who designed and built his beloved bikes and rightly so.

[Choprocker]

would be good to see some use other than a harley based type engine but seeing as is the winner goes to the worlrd build off or rounds for it it aint gonna get a look in in yank land if it aint got said lump.
There is a bloke oo does luvvly chops with ducati engines in yank land.

[tease]

Saw a real nice Duccy chop at Stormin, guy was selling it and not asking a bomb either, bout £3.5k, REAL nice engineering, welds looked perfect!

[Baloo]

much the same as normal depreciation, buy an 8k (new) bike, sell it two years later for 5 or 6k.

It's not the same as depreciation - if you build a Harley-based custom you can, 9 times out of 10, sell it for more than it cost you to build. If you build a Jap/Wop/Brit-based custom, you're lucky to break even if you've built it to the same standard.

My mate is obsessed with big wheels - he has both Harleys and V-Maxes with them. The last Max cost £6500 to build, it was a stunner, and it eventually sold for £5k. His last Harley cost £10k to build and he's been turning down offers of £25k plus for it.

If you're in the business of bike building and making money (we're not talking about private punters here, this thread is about shops, remember?), then which one would you choose to build again?

[Big Pete]

The remark about depreciation was for people building a bike (or getting one built) for themselves, not as a money making project.

If you are "in the buisiness", you have to build what will sell, no doubt about it, but if a customer says he wants a jap based custom it should still be a profitable job, otherwise you arent charging enough. If on the other hand you are building a bike without any customer input (i.e. what you think looks good) then you have to cater for the masses, which almost certainly means a V twin along the style of something off the telly.

[tease]

A shop has to build what a customer asks for, and any shop is in it to make money, if they arent then they are mismanaged, no two ways about it.

For private builders, if they build a jap/brit, Italian based chop it has to be for them, they arent going to make anything off of resale.
The wife and I are building her hardtail from a yamaha 650, not worried about resale value because it is for HER, not the public, same as my Intruder, I customised it for ME. Some do enjoy looking at it, taking some ideas from it, thats all good, its what its all about. When you do a bike up and are worried about its resale value your taking the heart out of what its about.

That of course excludes what is done in a shop. they have to cater to a customers wants and provide technical input to deliver for that customer

[slob]

I enjoyed the show and enjoyed the interviews .. I reckon it was good to get some sort of rapport witht he builders prior to the builds... leaves a taste for more really.

I think the problem with the US at a very general level (ty sure tease will agree) is how insular it is as a country, that comes from it's patriotism and a very firm belief that USA can always do best. Individual builders or magazines may recognise the skill of overseas builders but generally speaking the populace are only interested in American built.

Look at Exile , they stuggled to win any build offs despite thier bikes and trikes being very, very original ..


I have had the nod to sart a project chop in the new year... it'll be interesting cos I've never changed a fork seal let alone understand a combustion engine!

One way to learn though.

[tease]

I completely agree Slob, the US (in general) is a very closed off country, most Americans dont travel and see how others live, work, breathe so can only go by what they see on telly or in films. (sound like some others?)

There are a good many who do go out and see the world, try new things and want to see the world through more experienced eyes, but its definitely not the majority.

The market is flooded with HD and HD type chops, you cant swing a dead cat without hitting one at any rally, but there is always the few who want to be different and build them from other blocks. I applaud the guy who did his out of a lambretta, think thats way too cool!

It all USED to be about being different, HD used to be the one bike you could customise to make it a one of a kind, emphasis on USED to be. I think there will be a reckoning soon and people will see what else they can do.

[SatinBlack]

His last Harley cost £10k to build and he's been turning down offers of £25k plus for it.

Your mate must be doing something right if he can build a bike for £10k and be offered £25k for it, personally i would have flogged it and built some more if he can get that amount of profit on them :eek:

I know HD's hold there value better than just about any other make but when it comes to the mega expensive customs i have seen many on ebay that don't sell for the £15-£20k asking price, to my mind if you got that sort of money to spend on a bike like that you could have a new one built to your own spec not one that someone else built to their taste.

HD's are cool, no there not, yes they are, no there....ahhh feck it i just don't know anymore, seeing them on Easyrider mags when i was a kid was probably what got me interested in bikes but they no longer have the exclusive, badass, outlaw image that i liked about them especially when every celebrity on the planet seems to own one and rich business types buy them and all the HD riding gear and ponce around like their hardcore outlaws, what a load of bollocks :rolleyes:

[Freak]

It all USED to be about being different, HD used to be the one bike you could customise to make it a one of a kind, emphasis on USED to be. I think there will be a reckoning soon and people will see what else they can do.

It has already started Tease
It's a fickle world
What comes around goes around.
(fingers crossed ;) )

[Borg]

Where do you strap the tent ?

[slob]

I know some guys in the states who are hardcore brit bike chop builders and they definately shirk the norm... but at the end of the day alot of these bikes harleys or not are beutifully engineered and just because they have more exposure it's easy to be down on it.

[Borg]

Thing is there NOT Harleys, they change the crank and the casings, then the barrels and pistins and carbs and gear box for S&S stuff or other makes so what exactly is left of the HD lump ?

[GarrysPhrogg]

Meanwhile, back at the plot........



Tease, I could never understand why anyone could have a chop built and then not give credit to the builder either. I think it's an insult to steal the glory, the guy might as well have kicked Tooty in the bollocks. (I would love to see him try :D ) .


PMSL I would like to see him try, never mind Tooty ! watch out for our Andrew, he'd "burst him" :D !!

[GarrysPhrogg]

What a great program Toots please can we have a party every Tuesday :D :)
Nice seeing Bassman again, we both came a long way for half hour prog but it was worth it.
:)

[madastoast]

I saw all the bikes at Donny pro custom and I wouldn't have liked to pick a winner .I thought they were all great in their own way.

To ALL the builders

You done good Congratulations

[Blue]

Look at Exile , they stuggled to win any build offs despite thier bikes and trikes being very, very original ..


Nah, Russ Mitchell has built one original bike. He's built it many times over... :D

[Bassman]

Was great to see you both again Lyn,,, and Tooty and Co. as well...cheeky fecker that Steve Berry eh? :D

I have to either get a better navigator or one of those new-fangled, navigation thingys so I can find the bloody place....2.5 hours from Donny is far too much!! :eek: :D

[Bassman]

Nah, Russ Mitchell has built one original bike. He's built it many times over... :D

Still a great looking bike tho eh? :D

[Blue]

Still a great looking bike tho eh? :D

Yeah, I haven't got a lot of time for Mr Gay Hair Mitchell, but I do like the Exile bike. And the Exile trike that was the Exile bike with another wheel. :D

[Taff]

Exile 1 was VERY different.
Fkin hair dryers.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/Taff81/exile.jpg

[Blue]

:D :D
Curiously enough Mr Mitchell tends not to mention the sorts of 'radical customs' he built before going Stateside...